Bruges is one of the best known and most popular towns in East Flanders, sought after by tourists for its beautiful historical centre (part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2000) and for the romantic atmosphere one can breathe while strolling along its canals. Bruges is also popular for its culinary tradition: a rather varied (but balanced) mix of the flavours that characterise French cuisine and those of German cuisine, creating a menu full of very different dishes, from starters to mouth-watering desserts. So let's find out together which are the traditional dishes and specialities typical of Bruges, with some useful addresses and some curiosities.
1 - Fish soup
In Flanders, soups are a favourite dish of the locals, mainly used as a first course (as well as vegetable soups). Among the favourites, fish soup is perhaps the most popular due to the excellent raw material from the North Sea. Ideal for warming up during the cold Belgian winter, this soup is actually an evergreen offered by pubs and restaurants all year round. If you find yourself in Bruges and feel like refreshing yourself after a long day wandering around its narrow streets, this chowder is sure to lift your spirits!
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: fish
2 - Mussels and chips
Still on the subject of fish, mussels and chips is perhaps the most famous of all dishes in the culinary tradition of Bruges and, in general, of all Flanders. There are many variations of this dish (mussels in broth, in tomato sauce, au gratin or seasoned with wine or local beer) and they are all really delicious. Accompanied by Chips, they are certainly a calorie bomb, to which, however, one can hardly say no!
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00 / 12.00
Main ingredients: mussels, Chips
3 - Anguilles au vert
Photo by Takeaway. Another mouth-watering dish, anguilles au vert are nothing more than eels prepared with white wine and green sauce, with a very strong flavour and very tasty on the palate. Usually served hot and accompanied by slices of bread and a squeeze of lemon, they can also be eaten cold in special circumstances.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: eels, green sauce, wine
4 - Jefke
Along with anguilles au vert, the other fish dish typical of Bruges cuisine is Jefke, i.e. very fresh herring fillets prepared with beans and shallots and accompanied by a generous dressing: oil, vinegar, lemon and... mayonnaise! Served mostly cold, this is a dish recommended mainly for the warm season.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: herring, beans, shallots, mayonnaise
5 - Waterzooi
A second course that can also be used as a single dish is Waterzooi: originating in Ghent but spreading throughout the country, starting from nearby Bruges, it is a dish that can be either fish or meat-based, both seasoned with cream and seasonal vegetables (celery, carrots, potatoes, leeks and occasionally turnips).
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: chicken/fish, potatoes, carrots, celery, leeks
6 - White meat in beer
Not only fish dishes, but also meat dishes are very popular with locals. A speciality of the area is certainly meat washed down with excellent local beer (one of the best in Europe!). Whether chicken, rabbit or other white meat is of little importance, beer-battered meat prepared in Bruges is always a delight that satisfies every palate.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00 / 15.00
Main ingredients: white meat, beer.
7 - Boudin
Another meat dish, which is also quite tasty, is boudin. In this case, however, it is not white meat but red meat and in particular a very spicy sausage. It is also excellent on its own (although some palates find it too tasty) and is usually served with eggs and slices of bread to mitigate its strong taste. With a cup of coffee on the side, it could also make a hearty breakfast.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner, breakfast
Average cost: €13.00
Main ingredients: pork, spices
8 - Gauffres
Now to the desserts of the local cuisine. Bruges (but also Flanders in general) is most famous for two typical desserts that are impossible not to taste during a visit to the city. The first of these are the Gauffres, more commonly known as Wafels, which here can be simply sweetened or filled with chocolate, cream, jam and... you name it! Strolling around Bruges it is very easy to come across little shops totally dedicated to this delicacy: the smell of the cake cooking on the griddle can be recognised even from miles away, you just have to follow in its wake!
Recommended for: always
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: sugar, eggs, milk, butter, chocolate, etc.
9 - Belgian chocolate pralines
Finally, here it is, the true excellence of Belgian cuisine: chocolate. Whether milk, dark, white with hazelnuts or any other combination of flavours, rest assured that it will be the best chocolate you will ever taste in your life! In Bruges, the locals' favourite way to eat it is in the form of pralines, small and creamy, so good that one pulls the other. If you are looking for a great souvenir to take home, we recommend buying a packet of this delicacy.
Recommended for: always
Average cost: €15.00
Main ingredients: cocoa, sugar, cream.
10 - Beer
Belgium is also one of the most famous beer-producing countries in the world. In fact, many varieties of light beer (Stella Artois and Jupiler) are produced here, as well as a few types of dark beer (Rodenbach) and seasonal red beers. After a day exploring the city, there is nothing better than taking refuge in a traditional pub, sipping a mug of beer with friends. Cheers!
Recommended for: always
Average cost: €8.00/12.00
Main ingredients: hops, grain, alcohol.
Where to eat in Bruges: best restaurants, typical places and street food
The cuisine of Bruges offers numerous solutions for street food lovers: just think of the numerous 'frituur', the kiosks in the small squares where you can buy Chips (the very tasty ones, characterised by double frying), wafels and crepes. But that's not all! There is no shortage of excellent restaurants in every corner of the city. If you still don't know where to eat in Bruges, we'll give you some tips!
1 - 'T Walpoortje
Description: an intimate place with brick walls and a fireplace, with the possibility to eat outside during the summer.
Speciality: mussels with chips
Average price: from €20.00 per person
Address: Walplein, 10 - Get directions
2 - Belgian Pigeon House
Description: Small place not far from the main town square with characteristic location and pictures of pigeons in all shapes. Reservation necessary.
Speciality: pigeon meat
Average price: from €20.00 per person
Address: Sint-Jansplein, 12 - Get directions
3 - Pro Deo
Description: A place with a vintage soul with jazz music in the background. Typical dishes and good beers.
Speciality: Goulash with chips
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: Lamgestraat, 161 - Get directions
4 - Potato House
Description: the heart of Bruges street food, ideal for quick and tasty snacks!
Speciality: Chips
Average price: from €5,00 per person
Address: Rozenhoedkaai, 6 - Get directions
5 - The Potato Bar
Description: Pub with a simple but cosy décor, described by many as 'the kingdom of Belgian fries'.
Speciality: Chips, potato croquettes
Average price: from €7.00 per person
Address: Sint-Amandsstraaat, 31 - Get directions
